This world is ruled by skills. Yes, that's something I can be certain of. Having been born by the divine power of god I do not have any real parents, or any association with anybody in this world, but I do still have the power of observation.

  Having been in one village and one larger town I feel like I understand this world a little better. First of all theres levels, then theres classes and both of those factor into the last important thing in this world, skills.

  Skills may seem like magic, but they are fundamentally not the same thing. Most importantly, what powers skills and what powers magic is completely different. Maybe skills can be used through the same power that allowed me to be born into this world, I'm not sure. Anyways, magic requires some sort of natural energy, while skills are almost like blessings of the gods. Anyways, magic is completely separate from skills, as magic is not class bound in any way.

  Of course that was confusing at first, because the mage class does exist.

  Yeah, that about summarizes all the reasons as to why I am a looser. I have a level, but I have no starting class, I have no class at all. In this world, except for a few exceptions like the nobles, everybody has the same starting class, "Peasant."

  I have no class, that's why I have no skills. Essentially I'm a nobody, completely worthless. You would think that if a god revives you into a new world he would grant you some type of power, but no! Of course he curses me with a handicap.

  All those facts have culminated into my own grand reason for wandering into this giant forest. This forest is called the witchesforest, some believe it to be cursed. Pine trees stand tall here and a minuscule amount of light breaks through the gaps between the leafs above me, but it still feels rather dim.

  The atmosphere in this forest is thick. Sounds of branches snapping and footsteps through the undergrowth can be heard through every inch of this forest. Being honest, it can make you pretty paranoid, but I can't be too concerned about any of that.

  Truly, if bandits attacked me I'd be dead in a heartbeat. I did do boxing in my previous life, but I'm not sure how well that transferred with me. More importantly, boxing wasn't made to fight against swords and spears. Its not an answer of the peasants to the armies of the rich, like many other martial arts were.

  Maybe if I had practiced Karate, or something else that rose out of need for a way to fight back against armed opponents Id be off a lot better. Not to brag, but because of all the stamina training I had to go through, I am probably really good at running away at least.

  Why am I here, somebody might ask. After all this just screams like suicide, but that's not the case. Well, I heard a rumor, about an old witch practicing in alchemy and black magic. Apparently her crafts are so ungodly that theres no skill which can recreate her works.

  This is why I am so curious. If skills are backed by divine power, then if she doesn't use skills she must have found a way to become strong independently. A way to match and maybe surpass skills without the gift of being able to utilize divine power, that's what I'm after.

  Apparently that witch was an evil woman. She was an outcast, shunned by the church. While some insist that it was an act of mercy, others say the only reason she is still alive is because the holy Paladins of the church couldn't harm her.

  Obviously you wouldn't hear anybody exclaim such things out loud, after all that would be doubting the power of god, which I honestly do.

  I journey ahead, but theres no clear goal in mind. Its the most haphazard journey I've ever done. I don't know which direction I should head towards and I don't know where the witch even lives. All I know is this; there might be a witch living in this forest and if she does I can find her.

  Yes, going out here was stupid of me, but If I'm going to be useless all my life what was the point of being reborn anyways? Right, there would have been none.

  I keep venturing forth, through bushes and over the undergrowth I advance steadily. This forest is big, bigger than any other place I've been to yet. No town could even come close to the gigantism of this forest. I've been in here for maybe two days, advancing towards 'somewhere' everyday, with no luck.

  But I have a strange feeling. I feel like maybe today is the day I will see something grand.

  Whats that? I can hear a river, probably a small one. I must be somewhat close, otherwise I wouldn't even be able to hear the water at all.

  Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

  I should move towards it, refill my water and if I'm feeling brave try to catch some fish... Well, we will see about that whole catching fish thing.

  But I cant see as clearly anymore. What is this, fog? Yes, I'm pretty sure this is fog. I've been through this whole forest, but I have never seen any fog. Well, until now. Isn't that kinda strange? Why would fog appear right here, right now, in the middle of the day.

  It is in the middle of the day, right?

  I look up and unconsciously nod. Yes, the sun still seems to be shining.

  I become a little cautious. If I had a sword with me I'd be gripping its handle by now, slightly pulling it out of its scabbard, ready to slash at an emerging foe. But I don't have one, so I just raise my fists a little. I don't want to go into a stance and waste time, after all it could just be regular fog. But if it was something created by a skill I want to be ready to go into a battle stance at any time.

  "Honestly, you've made it really far, haven't you?"

  What the fuck? That was a voice just there, it was really clear too. Sounded very feminine. Well, female bandits are a thing in this world after all.

  But am I really going to get assaulted now, when I'm who-knows-how-deep into a forest that you could get lost in easier than in any maze?

  "Yeah, its been a really hard journey. Hey, Its okay if you take the little stuff I have, but have you heard of a witch that's supposed to live here? I've been looking for her for some time now."

  I think me getting robbed is unavoidable at this point, but maybe I can at least gain some information. Being honest, I've been running out of food, so I would have probably died within a week anyways. Coming here was a gamble and the odds are far from in my favor.

  "A witch, huh? Yeah, I think I know who you are talking about."

  Wait, what? You damn female bimbo bandit, spill the beans already! I wish I could say that out loud, but I don't want to be robbed, and killed on top of that.

  "Really! You see, I've heard a lot of things about her and so I really want to find her. I want her to teach me, but I don't know where she is, so if you could just tell me where she is I will give you everything I own."

  "Everything, huh?"

  Isn't her voice getting closer? This is kind of dangerous, isn't it?

  "Yes, even my underwear. I swear."

  Lets just hope she isn't a rapist.

  I hear a giggle, a very cheerful one too.

  "You're a pretty funny guy!"

  Suddenly a gust of wind blows through the area. I brace myself, even though the wind isn't strong enough to blow me off my feet anyways, but it is enough to make the fog disappear.

  When the wind subsides I lower my arms, when a figure reveals itself in front of me. A woman with a hooded, black robe stands in front of me. Her hair is blond and messy, freckles on her face. Her eyes are blue, her gaze very focused. She gives off a mature aura, almost intimidating.

  The first thing I do is check her stats... No class, level 82... She- Shes the god damn witch! Yes, I found her. I fucking found her.

  I fall down unto my knees, suppressing the tears from welling up and from running down my cheeks like my face is a waterfall.

  Yes, I'm so happy. If she was just a myth, even if I made it out of this forest alive, my life would have not been one worth living. Thank you go- No, actually fuck you god! But for the sake of the moment, thank you god! This life, I don't want it to be like my last one.

  "Did you really want to see me that much?"

  The witches voice brings me back to reality. My first reaction is to beg her to take me as a disciple, so I lower my head, no, I try to. My forehead is met with great resistance and two screams of pain suddenly run through the forest.

  "Fuck, that hurts." I exclaim.

  But when my mind clears I realize, I must have hit the witches head. Ignoring the pain I look around almost in panic, until I spot her again. Shes on her knees, holding her forehead with both of her hands.

  Well, she doesn't have any class, so that must have hurt, I would know. Wait, does that really matter?!

  In a hurry I walk up to her, the word "sorry" continuously coming out of my mouth like I'm trying to memorize a word from a different language.

  "Are you alright? I didn't mean to do that."

  At me offering my help she simply waves her hand in front of my face, an obvious rejecting. But surprisingly that rejection is followed by another amused giggle.

  She raises her head, looking up to me while she still kneels in place.

  "You're a pretty funny guy, aren't you? I don't think I'd mind teaching you a thing or two. Haven't really had company for a long time anyways."